How to Write a Self Help Book in 5 Easy Steps

Writing a self help book is a great way to increase your personal credibility, while also giving your career a real boost. The self help category is so popular because people are always looking for ways to improve their lives. This is called an “evergreen niche” in marketing circles. Once you know how to write a self help book, you can literally write your own ticket to success.

Many people, who have written self help books, have moved on to bigger and better things. You could become a consultant, or a personal coach to those struggling with specific problems. Some self help authors have even gone on to become radio and television personalities. Basically, if your book is well received by the media and public – the sky’s the limit.

Step One: Choose a Specific Theme

Are you going to help people live longer with specific diet and exercise techniques?

Are you going to help people get out of debt by following certain financial planning steps?

Are you going to help people create beautiful handmade jewelry and sell it?

Are you going to teach people how to improve their golf swing?

Whatever it is you want to help people with, focus in on a specific theme and stick to it.

Step Two: Create an Outline

Each chapter of your book should be about a specific topic of major interest. The length of your book will depend on how many topics you want to cover. If you’re an expert in your field, then you should be able to come up with a minimum of 7 to 10 main topics.

Underneath the main topic, you’ll list several subtopics that fall under this category.

For example, if your book is about making homemade bread, here’s how a chapter would look:

Main Chapter Topic: Whole Grain Breads

* Wheat Bread * Oat Bread * Rye Bread * Multi Grain Bread

Step Three: Come Up With a Title

The title of your book should be catchy and showcase a specific benefit the book offers potential readers. You’ll need to spend some time brainstorming title ideas. You may end up writing down dozens of titles before finding the one that stands out to you as being the best.

Step Four: Write One Section at a Time

Aspiring authors often get overwhelmed when they think about writing a whole book and all the work that entails. In order to get past this mental block, you should concentrate on writing only one section at a time.

For instance, when you begin a new chapter, allow yourself to write up to three paragraphs without thinking too much about how it reads. Go back and read over what you wrote. Then you can edit your words and make them flow better.

Once you’ve completed this section, move on to the next several paragraphs, and so on.

Step Five: Proofread Your Manuscript

As the author, it’s your responsibility to read over the entire manuscript and correct blatant spelling and grammar errors. If you are comfortable with correcting stylistic writing errors by using a dictionary, thesaurus and writing style book then do so. There are also online tools that can assist you with self-editing.

If you feel your book needs more extensive proofreading and editing, then hire a professional editor who can go over your book with a fine tooth comb, and help you get it ready for publication.